Three dimensional package for semiconductor devices and external components

ABSTRACT

In a described example, an apparatus includes: a package substrate having a die mount portion and lead portions; at least one semiconductor device die over the die mount portion of the package substrate, the semiconductor device die having bond pads on an active surface facing away from the package substrate; electrical connections between at least one of the bond pads and one of the lead portions; a post interconnect over at least one of the bond pads, the post interconnect extending away from the active surface of the semiconductor device die; and a dielectric material covering a portion of the package substrate, the semiconductor device die, a portion of the post interconnect, and the electrical connections, forming a packaged semiconductor device, wherein the post interconnect extends through the dielectric material and had an end facing away from the semiconductor device die that is exposed from the dielectric material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to packaging for semiconductordevices, and more particularly to packages of semiconductor devices withexternal electronic components.

BACKGROUND

Packages for semiconductor devices that include passive devices,sensors, or even multiple semiconductor devices are increasingly used toreduce the board area needed on a system board. A passive component, forexample a capacitor, resistor, inductor, sensor, or a photocell, may beelectrically coupled to a semiconductor device, such as a digitalprocessor or analog to digital converter. An active component, forexample another packaged semiconductor device, can be electricallycoupled to a semiconductor device. In some packaging solutions for asemiconductor device with external components, a stacking approach isused. Package on package (PoP) or other stacked package solutions canrequire through silicon vias or through substrate vias (TSVs). TSVs mayrequire laser drilling or other mechanical or deep etch operations toform a via hole extending through a semiconductor package, a substrateor circuit board, which is then filled with or lined with a conductor.In some solutions, packaged ball grid array (BGA) devices are stacked,requiring relatively expensive BGA packages with conductive lands andballs on two opposite planar surfaces for at least some of the stackedpackaged devices. These stacked arrangements can have high parasiticcapacitance and high resistance and leakage, and may contribute to noiseor signal loss, or have unwanted coupling between conductors. Stackeddies have been used within packages, requiring expensive leadframes andcomplex wire bonding operations with multiple wire loop heights andlengths, reducing reliability of the wire bonds.

SUMMARY

In a described example, an apparatus includes: a package substratehaving a die mount portion and lead portions; at least one semiconductordevice die over the die mount portion of the package substrate, thesemiconductor device die having bond pads on an active surface facingaway from the package substrate; electrical connections between at leastone of the bond pads and one of the lead portions; a post interconnectover at least one of the bond pads, the post interconnect extending awayfrom the active surface of the semiconductor device die; and adielectric material covering a portion of the package substrate, thesemiconductor device die, a portion of the post interconnect, and theelectrical connections, forming a packaged semiconductor device, whereinthe post interconnect extends through the dielectric material and had anend facing away from the semiconductor device die that is exposed fromthe dielectric material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a packaged semiconductor device withexternal components mounted on an external surface.

FIGS. 2A-2J are a series of projection views illustrating selected stepsof a method for forming a packaged semiconductor device used in anarrangement.

FIG. 3 is a projection view of a packaged semiconductor device with apassive component mounted to an external surface and coupled to asemiconductor device die within the packaged semiconductor device.

FIGS. 4A-4D are cross-sectional views illustrating alternativearrangements for a packaged semiconductor device with post interconnectscoupling an external component to a semiconductor device die within thepackaged semiconductor device.

FIGS. 5A-5C are cross sectional views illustrating an arrangement for apackaged semiconductor device with an internal redistribution layer overa semiconductor device die.

FIGS. 6A-6B are cross sectional views illustrating alternativearrangements for a packaged semiconductor device with post interconnectscoupling an external component mounted on a surface of the packagedsemiconductor device to a semiconductor device die, and including anexternal redistribution layer on the packaged semiconductor device.

FIGS. 7A-7B are flow diagrams illustrating method arrangements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generallyrefer to corresponding parts, unless otherwise indicated. The figuresare not necessarily drawn to scale.

The term “semiconductor device” is used herein. As used herein, asemiconductor device is a device manufactured using semiconductormaterial. The semiconductor device can be a discrete component such as aresistor, inductor, capacitor, coil, diode or other passive element. Thesemiconductor device can be one or more transistors. The semiconductordevice may include several or even thousands of transistors and may bereferred to as an “integrated circuit”. The semiconductor device can bea circuit. Examples include analog and digital circuits such as filters,analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, sensors,power transistors, power supplies, charge pumps, switches, photocells,transducers, diodes, bulk acoustic wave devices, antennas, receivers,transmitters, transceivers, processors, digital signal processors,amplifiers, shifters, counters, clock circuits, phase locked loops,microcontrollers, bus drivers, and systems on a chip, memory devices,registers, volatile and non-volatile storage circuitry, and otherintegrated circuits. The term “semiconductor device die” is used herein.As used herein, a semiconductor device die is a single semiconductordevice. The term “packaged semiconductor device” is used herein. As usedherein a packaged semiconductor device is a semiconductor device die ina protective package, such as a plastic, resin or molded package.

The term “active surface” is used herein in reference to a surface of asemiconductor device die. An active surface of a semiconductor devicedie is a surface with components formed on it using semiconductormanufacturing processes such as ion implants, oxidation, anneal,chemical and vapor deposition, etch, photolithography, plating, andother processes used to form semiconductor devices. “Bond pads” aredescribed herein. Bond pads of a semiconductor device are conductivepads formed on the active surface that provide electrical connection tothe components in the semiconductor device.

The term “package substrate” is used herein. A package substrate is asubstrate that supports a semiconductor device die within a devicepackage. Examples of package substrates include leadframes, pre-moldedleadframes (PMLF), molded interconnect substrates (MIS), circuit boards,laminate, film and tape substrates, and semiconductor substrates.

In this description, when the term “coupled” describes relationshipsbetween elements, “coupled” is not limited to “connected” or “directlyconnected,” but may also include connections made with interveningelements, and additional elements and various connections may existbetween any elements that are “coupled.”

In this description, the term “post interconnect” is used. As usedherein a post interconnect is a conductive element that extends from afirst end through a dielectric material and has a second end exposedfrom the dielectric material to provide a terminal for connecting anelectrical component outside the dielectric material to a device withinthe dielectric material. Post interconnects in example arrangementsinclude conductive columns that extend from a semiconductor device diein a package to a surface of the package.

In the arrangements, a package for a semiconductor device and for anexternal component includes post interconnects on an active surface of asemiconductor device in a package, the semiconductor device covered by adielectric material forming a package body, the post interconnectsextending from the semiconductor device through the dielectric materialof the package body. An external component is mounted to the package andcoupled to the post interconnects to electrically couple the externalcomponent to the semiconductor device. In some arrangements more thanone external component can be mounted on a package and coupled to thesemiconductor device by post interconnects.

FIG. 1 illustrates in a cross sectional view an arrangement 100. Apackaged semiconductor device 110 has two external components, a laserdevice 113 and a capacitor 121 mounted on a surface of the packagedsemiconductor device 110 (the upper surface of the packagedsemiconductor device 110 as oriented in FIG. 1). A package substrate101, in this example a conductive leadframe, is shown with a diemounting portion 103 and with leads 105 spaced from the die mountingportion 103. Die attach 107 adheres a semiconductor device die 109 tothe die mounting portion 103 on a device side surface of the packagesubstrate 101 (the upper surface of the package substrate as oriented inFIG. 1). The package substrate has a board side surface opposite thedevice side surface (the bottom of package substrate 101 as oriented inFIG. 1 is the board side surface). Bond pads 119 disposed on an activesurface of the semiconductor device die 109 electrically couple tocircuitry formed within the semiconductor device die 109 (not shown) andform electrical connection terminals for the semiconductor device die109. Bond wires 115 connect selected ones of the bond pads 119 to leads105 of the package substrate 101. The leads 105 are spaced from the diemounting portion 103 and from one another, and a portion of the leads105 is exposed from the package to form terminals for the packagedsemiconductor device 110. A dielectric material 117 covers thesemiconductor device die 109 and portions of the package substrate 101while other portions of leads 105 remain exposed from dielectricmaterial 117 for use in surface mounting to a system board or module;the leads 105 forming the electrical terminals for the packagedsemiconductor device 110.

In FIG. 1, post interconnects 111 extend from bond pads 119 on theactive surface of the semiconductor device die 109 through thedielectric material 117 and the post interconnects have ends exposed atthe upper surface (as oriented in FIG. 1) of packaged semiconductordevice 110. The post interconnects 111 form vertical connections (againas oriented in FIG. 1) through the dielectric material 117 of thepackage. The exposed end of post interconnects 111 provides terminalsfor mounting external components on the package 110 that areelectrically coupled to semiconductor device die 109. In this example, avertical cavity semiconductor laser component (VCSEL) 113 is mounted totwo post interconnects and coupled to the packaged semiconductor device110 using solder balls 118, while a capacitor 121, which is in a twoterminal package, is soldered to the ends of two post interconnects 111.The post interconnects 111 can be of various sizes and are conductive.The post interconnects 111 can be of copper, for example, to provide alow resistance and low parasitic path between the components and thesemiconductor device die 109 inside the packaged semiconductor device110. In addition to copper, alternative materials for the postinterconnects include gold, palladium, platinum, silver, nickel, tin andalloys of these.

FIGS. 2A-2I illustrate in a series of selected steps an example methodfor forming an arrangement. FIG. 2A illustrates in a projectionsemiconductor device die 109 with bond pads 119 on an active surface ofthe semiconductor device die. FIG. 2B illustrates the semiconductordevice die 109 with a seed layer 201 sputtered or otherwise depositedover the active surface (the bond pads 119 are obscured in this view).The seed layer 201 can be a material used in an electroplating processdescribed further below, for example, the seed layer can be copper orcopper alloy. Note that while a single semiconductor device die 109 isshown in FIGS. 2A-2I for clarity of illustration, at this method stepthe semiconductor device die 109 is part of a semiconductor wafer (notshown) with multiple semiconductor devices formed on it, and the seedlayer 201 is sputtered onto the wafer.

FIG. 2C illustrates the semiconductor device die 109 after a photoresistlayer 203 is deposited over the seed layer (not visible as it is coveredby photoresist layer 203), the active surface and bond pads of thesemiconductor device die 109, which are also obscured by the photoresistlayer 203. Photoresist materials that can be used include positive andnegative type photoresists, and other photoresists used in semiconductoror circuit board manufacture.

FIG. 2D illustrates openings 207 and 209 formed by patterning anddeveloping photoresist layer 203 in a photolithographic process. Theopenings 207 and 209 extend through the photoresist layer 203 and exposethe seed layer 201 in the openings.

FIG. 2E illustrates post interconnects 111 formed in the openings in thephotoresist layer by electroplating or by electroless plating of aconductive material. In an example copper post interconnects are formedusing a copper seed layer in the plating process. Other materials suchas gold, platinum, silver, nickel, tin, palladium and alloys of thesecan be used to form the post interconnects. Gold, nickel, tin, palladiumand alloys or multiple layers of these can also be used to form coatingson the surface of post interconnects that are formed of other materials.These coatings are used to reduce ion diffusion, increase solderability,and prevent tarnish on post interconnects formed of other materials,such as copper or silver. In the example shown, the post interconnects111 are rectangular shaped columns when seen from a top view. Inalternatives the post interconnects may be columns that are circular oroval in cross section, square or other shapes can be used. Because thepost interconnects form electrical paths and are far larger in diameterthan a bond wire, for example, the resistance obtained by use of thepost interconnects is lower than an alternative connection such as aTSV, solder ball, bond wire or bond ribbon connection that mightotherwise have been used, and the parasitics of the post interconnectsare low. Bond wires used in semiconductor packaging can range from about19 to 25 microns in diameter. The post interconnects can be much largerin diameter, for example ranging from about 50 to about 350 microns. Theresistance of a conductor is inversely proportional to the square of thediameter, so the post interconnects can have a resistance that isroughly 100 times less than a bond wire, the arrangements provide a lowresistance path between the semiconductor device within the package andthe external component.

FIG. 2F illustrates post interconnects 111 and seed layer 201 after thephotoresist layer (see photoresist 203 in FIG. 2E) is removed. Chemicalstrippers or dry etching in a plasma reactor such as “ashing” can beused to remove the photoresist layer. The seed layer 201 is exposed.

FIG. 2G illustrates the post interconnects 111 on the semiconductordevice die 109 with bond pads 119 exposed after the seed layer (see 201in FIG. 2F) is removed. The seed layer 201 (see FIG. 2F) can be removedby wet etchants selective to the seed layer material, for example byetchants selective to copper. Some loss of the material in the postinterconnects 111 can be expected in this etch, and the postinterconnects can be sized appropriately to account for this expectedloss

FIG. 2H illustrates a semiconductor device die 109 with the postinterconnects 111 after the semiconductor device die 109 is mounted on apackage substrate over die mounting portion 103 and leads 105 spacedfrom the die mounting portion 103. The semiconductor device die 109 isremoved from the semiconductor wafer having multiple semiconductordevice dies formed on it by a dicing or “singulation” process used insemiconductor manufacture. The semiconductor device dies are formed inan array of devices in rows and columns that are spaced from each otherby scribe lines. A mechanical saw, laser, or etch process is used to cutthrough the semiconductor wafer along the scribe lines, separating theindividual semiconductor device dies one from another, or “singulating”the semiconductor device dies from the wafer. A pick and place tool canthen be used to mount a semiconductor device to the package substrateusing a die attach adhesive or epoxy. The package substrate can be aleadframe, a PMLF, MIS, a tape, laminate or film carrying conductors, ora circuit board with conductive traces. While a single semiconductordevice die 109 is shown in FIG. 2H for clarity of illustration, in aproduction process a leadframe strip or leadframe array in rows andcolumns is populated with a plurality of semiconductor device dies,which are then each connected electrically to the corresponding leads ina wire bonding tool. Wire bonds such as 115 connect the leads 105 to thebond pads 119 on the semiconductor device die 109. The wire bonds 115can be “ball and stitch” wire bonds, where a bond formed at the end of acapillary in a wire bonding tool is placed on the bond pad of thesemiconductor device die by thermasonic, compressive, or sonic energy.The wire extends through a capillary in a wire bonding tool. As the wirebonding tool capillary moves from the ball, the bond wire is allowed toextend and loop from the ball towards the lead, and the wire bondingtool forms a pressure “stitch” welding the bond wire to the conductivelead 105. The tool leaves the stitch in place by breaking the bond wireafter the wire stitch connection is made. Heat or a flame used in thewire bonding tool then forms a new ball at the end of the bond wire atthe capillary in the tool, and these wire bonding operations repeat andcontinue. In alternative arrangements, wire ribbons can be used in placeof the bond wires to connect the semiconductor device die 109 to theleads 105. In some arrangements, the backside of semiconductor devicedie (the side opposite the active surface, and mounted to the die mountarea 103 of the package substrate) is electrically coupled to thepackage substrate in die mount area 103, and the die mount area 103 hasa board side surface (not visible) that will be connected to ground, forexample, on a system board. In other alternative arrangements, anadditional bond wire connection may be made from a bond pad on theactive surface of semiconductor device die 109 to the die mount area103, which can then be used as an additional electrical connection forpower or ground, for example. In some arrangements the die mount portion103 of the package substrate has a board side surface that may beexposed from the package material in the final package. This board sidesurface can form a thermal path for removing heat from the semiconductordevice die 109.

FIG. 2I illustrates the semiconductor device die 109 and the packagesubstrate including leads 105 after a package body is formed ofdielectric material 117. The dielectric material 117 protects thesemiconductor device die and completes a packaged semiconductor device110. The dielectric material can be formed in an encapsulation moldingprocess using mold compound. Useful mold compound materials includethermosetting epoxy resin, including metal and non-metal fillers, resin,and plastics. Post interconnects 111 extend through the package body andhave ends exposed from the dielectric material 117 to form packageterminals on an upper surface of the packaged semiconductor device 110(as the elements are oriented in FIG. 2J) for mounting additionaldevices. In the example, the post interconnects 111 have exposed endsthat extend above the upper surface of the package body. This structurecan be formed by using a tape or film in a molding tool, so that theencapsulation process does not cover the entire length of the postinterconnects 111 during encapsulation. In another alternativearrangement, the exposed ends of the post interconnects 111 are coplanarwith the upper surface of the dielectric material 117. As shown in FIG.2I the semiconductor device die 109, the bond wires, and portions of thepackage substrate including the die mount portion and portions of theleads 105 are covered by the dielectric material 117, which protects thedevice from moisture and from damage. Portions of leads 105 are exposedto form electrical terminals for surface mount technology (“SMT”)mounting of the packaged semiconductor device 110 to a system board. Thepackaged semiconductor device 110 can be shipped as a product to acustomer that adds an external component mounted on the postinterconnects 111. In another approach, an arrangement includes theexternal component and forms a complete product to be shipped to acustomer, see FIG. 3 below.

FIG. 2J is a projection view of packaged semiconductor device 110 in anpartially transparent view that illustrates the bond wires 115, thesemiconductor device die 109, and the bond pads 119, which are enclosedby the dielectric material 117, which can be mold compound, for example.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example arrangement 310 including packagedsemiconductor device 110 and an example external component 301. Theexternal component 301 is mounted to the post interconnects 111 on thesurface of the packaged semiconductor device 110. The post interconnects111 have ends extending through and exposed from the dielectric material117. Solder or another conductive material electrically couples theexternal component 301 to the post interconnects 111. Adhesive can beused to adhere the external component 301 to the packaged semiconductordevice 110. The example external component 301 has two terminals and canbe a passive device such as a resistor, capacitor, inductor, or coil.External component 301 can be a sensor such as a photocell, acousticdevice, or receiving or transmissive devices such as opticaltransmitters or antennas can be used. In additional arrangements, theexternal component 301 can have additional terminals, and the number ofpost interconnects in the packaged semiconductor device 110 can beincreased to match the number of terminals used.

An aspect of the arrangements is that the length of the postinterconnects is directly related to the parasitic capacitance andimpedance that will be formed between the semiconductor device die, atone end of the post interconnects, and the external component that iscoupled to the other end of the post interconnects. In examplearrangements, the post interconnects can range from 50 to 350 microns inlength. FIGS. 4A-4D are cross sectional views illustrating arrangementsthat have various lengths for the post interconnects. In FIG. 4A,arrangement 310 includes an external component 301, for example a twoterminal passive device, mounted to a semiconductor device package 110.Semiconductor device die 109 is mounted on a die mount portion 103 of apackage substrate 101, for example a conductive leadframe. A die mountportion 103 and leads 105 spaced from the die mount portion are shown asportions of package substrate 101. Bond wires 115 couple bond pads 119to the leads 105. Dielectric material 117, for example mold compound,covers semiconductor die 109 and portions of package substrate 101. Thethickness T1 of the mold compound over the active surface ofsemiconductor die 109 determines the length L1 of the post interconnects111. The thickness T2 of the semiconductor die 109 is another distancethat can be used to control the thickness T1, as shown below. Thethickness T3 is determined by the thickness of the package substrate101. The total package thickness T is the sum of thicknesses T1, T2 andT3; and in one example is about 600 microns, with approximately equalthicknesses T1, T2, and T3 of about 200 microns each. Other thicknessescan be used, as is further described below. Use of the postinterconnects of the arrangements provides a low impedance, lowparasitic connection between the semiconductor device die and theexternal component to be mounted on the semiconductor device packagewhen compared to other connection types, such as bond wires, ribbonbonds, or TSVs.

FIG. 4B illustrates an alternative arrangement. In FIG. 4B, the packagethickness T is the same as for the arrangement in FIG. 4A. In anexample, it is about 600 microns. The thickness T1A from the surface ofthe semiconductor die 109 to the surface of the dielectric material 117(for example mold compound) is now about 100 microns, about half thethickness T1 of 200 microns in FIG. 4A. This thickness T1A alsodetermines the length L1A of the post interconnects 211, 213, which ishalf the length L1 in FIG. 4A. The thickness of the semiconductor devicedie 109, T2A, is now increased (when compared to thickness T2 of FIG.4A), the thickness of the semiconductor device die 109 in this exampleis now 300 microns, greater than the thickness T2 shown in FIG. 4A,which is about 200 microns. The package substrate 101 has a thickness T3which is the same in both FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, about 200 microns. Thetotal thickness T is the same in both FIGS. 4A and 4B, about 600microns. The parasitic capacitance and impedance or resistance thatresults from the use of the post interconnects is improved by the use ofshorter post interconnects in FIG. 4B, the length L1A in FIG. 4B, whichis less than length L1 in FIG. 4A, will result in lower parasitics.Other thicknesses can be used, the arrangement shown in FIG. 4Billustrates that by increasing the thickness T2A of the semiconductordie, the length L1A of the post interconnects can be reduced in asimilar package thickness.

FIG. 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of another arrangement. InFIG. 4C, the thickness T2B of the semiconductor device die 109 isgreater than the thickness T2 in FIG. 4A, while the thickness T1B of thedielectric material 117 between the surface of the semiconductor devicedie 109 and the exterior surface of the package is also less thanthickness T1 in FIG. 4A. This reduced thickness T1B can be accomplishedby a mechanical grinding or polishing step to thin the dielectricmaterial 117 after the material (such as mold compound) is formed, tothin the thickness of semiconductor device package 110 prior to mountingexternal component 301. The length L1B of the post interconnects 111 isreduced by the grinding operation. In an example, the total thickness TBof the packaged semiconductor device 110, the sum of T1B, T2B and T3, isabout 500 microns; with T1B being about 70 microns, the thickness T2B ofthe semiconductor device die of about 230 microns, and the thickness T3of the package substrate 101 is about 200 microns, as in the examples ofFIGS. 4A-4B above.

FIG. 4D illustrates an alternative approach to providing the postinterconnects 111. In FIG. 4D a spacer 429 is between the semiconductordevice die 109 and the package substrate 101, and is placed over the diemounting portion 103 of the package substrate 101. The packagedsemiconductor device 110 has a thickness TC that is the sum of fourthicknesses, T1C, T2C, T4, and T3. As in the other examples shown inFIG. 4A-4C, the thickness of the package substrate, T3, is about 200microns. The spacer 329, which can be a metal, dielectric, or a dummysemiconductor die, raises the semiconductor device die 109 towards theupper surface (as oriented in FIG. 4D) of the packaged semiconductordevice 110. The thickness T4 in an example is about 265 microns. Thethickness of the semiconductor device die can be the same, about 265microns, or more or less, for example in FIG. 4C, the thickness T2B wasabout 230 microns. The thickness T1C, which also determines the lengthL1C of the post interconnects 111, is about 70 microns, however in thisexample the total package thickness, TC, is greater than the otherexamples due to the added thickness T4 of the spacer 329, and in oneexample was about 800 microns, the sum of the four thicknesses T1C. T2B,T4 and T3. Use of the spacer shortens the length of the postinterconnects 111, and thereby lowers the parasitic capacitance andimpedance in the connections between the external component 301 and thesemiconductor device die 109 (when compared to other arrangements.)

While the example arrangements shown in FIGS. 4A-4D have variousthicknesses for the package, the semiconductor die, and the packagesubstrate, these examples are used to illustrate the arrangements, inadditional arrangements other thicknesses can be used, and differentlengths for the post interconnects can be obtained.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate in cross-sectional views example arrangements fora packaged semiconductor device 510 including an internal redistributionlayer (RDL) 511 inside the device package. In FIG. 5A, a semiconductordevice 109 is mounted to a die mount portion 103 of a package substrate101. As described above with respect to FIG. 1, the package substratecan be a conductive leadframe, a pre-molded leadframe, a moldedinterconnect substrate, a circuit board, laminate, tape or film. Leads105 are part of the package substrate 101 and spaced from the die mountportion 103 to provide external terminals for the packaged device. Bondwires 119 couple leads 105 of the package substrate 110 to bond pads 119on the active surface of the semiconductor device die 109. The bond padsare electrically coupled to devices within the semiconductor device die.The internal RDL 511 includes a dielectric layer, for example apolyimide, placed over the active surface of the semiconductor devicedie. Filled or partially filled vias extend through the internal RDL 511to couple to the post interconnects 111 formed over the internal RDL511. The post interconnects 111 are electrically coupled to the filledvias to electrically couple the post interconnects 111 to bond pads 119on semiconductor device die 109. Dielectric material 117 is formed in anencapsulation process to cover the semiconductor device die 109 andportions of the package substrate 110 and the post interconnects 111,and the internal RDL 511. The ends of the post interconnects 111 faceaway from the semiconductor device die 109 and are exposed form thedielectric material 117 to form terminals for the semiconductor devicepackage 510 These terminals are for coupling a component to be mountedon the package, such as a passive device, to the packaged semiconductordevice 510. FIGS. 5B-5C illustrate a method for forming the package 510in FIG. 5A. In FIG. 5B, post interconnects 111 are completed byelectroplating and are overplated to form mushroom shaped ends.Dielectric material 117 is formed in a molding process to encapsulatethe semiconductor device die 109, the internal RDL 511, and the postinterconnects 111. FIG. 5C illustrates the packaged semiconductor device510 after a grinding operation removes a portion of the mold compoundover the post interconnects 111, exposing the ends of the postinterconnects 111, which are made co-planar with the surface of thepackage after the grinding operation.

The arrangements shown in FIGS. 5A-5C provide additional package designfreedom in addition to other benefits of the arrangements describedabove. In the arrangement of FIG. 1, for example, the placement anddesign of the bond pads on the semiconductor device die 109 is made incorrespondence to the terminal locations of the external component, forexample the ends of a two terminal device. The size of the semiconductordevice die 109, the location of the bond pads 119, and the size of theexternal component are limited by the need to provide alignment betweenthe ends of the external component to be mounted on the packagedsemiconductor device using the post interconnects, and the bond padsthat will couple to the post interconnects. In contrast, in the examplearrangements of FIGS. 5A-5C including the internal RDL 511 over thesemiconductor device die 109, the package design can accommodatediffering placements and sizes of the external component, for examplethe external component can be placed in different orientations on thepackaged semiconductor device. The use of standard or existingsemiconductor device dies for the semiconductor die 109 is also madeeasier in these arrangements, because the bond pad locations do notnecessarily determine the post interconnect locations. The internal RDL511 performs a mapping function that allows the post interconnectlocations to be determined while using an existing bond pad locationpattern, without changing the bond pad locations. The internal RDL 511can then map the bond pads to the post interconnect locations needed forthe external component.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate additional arrangements including an external RDLformed over the packaged semiconductor device prior to mounting theexternal component. Use of the external RDL between the packagedsemiconductor device and the external component or components furtherincreases the flexibility of the arrangements in terms of the size ofthe semiconductor device die and of the added components. Flexibility isalso increased in the placements for the post interconnects and theconnections to the added components. For example, larger passive devicesthat exceed the size of the semiconductor device dies can be mounted tothe packaged semiconductor devices.

FIG. 6A is a cross sectional view of an arrangement 610 of a packagedsemiconductor device 510 with two post interconnects 211, 213 and havingan external RDL 615 over an external surface of the packagedsemiconductor device. The packaged semiconductor device 510 has aninternal RDL 511 over the semiconductor device die 109. The postinterconnects 211, 213 are formed over the internal RDL 511. Theexternal RDL 615 can include multiple layers of conductors withconductors in layers and having vertical conductive vias between thelayers. The external RDL 615 can map connections on the packagedsemiconductor device side of the external RDL 615 to solder connectionson the component side of the external RDL 615. The positions of theexternal component 301 are not restricted by the positions of the postinterconnects 211, 213. In the example of FIG. 6A, the ends of the postinterconnects 211, 213 are electrically coupled to the external RDL 615by solder balls 617. The external RDL 615 can be built on the packagedsemiconductor device 510 using a dielectric material and patterning,plating and etching conductors as used in circuit board fabrication. Inan alternative arrangement, the external RDL 615 can be formed as a MISor other pre-built or pre-molded component, or other substrates such asa films, tapes, or circuit boards, and placed on the packagedsemiconductor device using adhesives. The external component 301 ismounted to and coupled to the external distribution layer 615, forexample using solder.

FIG. 6B illustrates, in another cross sectional view, an arrangementwhere multiple post interconnects, coupled in parallel, are used tocouple bond pads 119 on the semiconductor device die 109 to the externalRDL 615 and which then couples to the external component 301. In thisarrangement, the bond pads and post interconnects that are sized toalign with the bond pads provide parallel electrical paths to lowerresistance, and the internal RDL (see 511 in FIG. 6A) is not needed inthe packaged semiconductor device. The use of the external RDL 615allows the freedom to use an external component that may be larger indimension that the semiconductor device die 109, while using multiplepost interconnects keeps the resistance and capacitance added by theconnections to the external component low. Use of the external RDL 615and the post interconnects can also enable the use of a standard orexisting semiconductor device die without the need to modify bond padsor bond pad locations on the existing semiconductor device die toaccommodate the connections to the external component.

FIGS. 7A-7B are method flow diagrams illustrating selected steps informing an arrangement. In step 701, a semiconductor device die isfabricated on a wafer and bond pads are formed over an active surface ofthe semiconductor device die (see semiconductor device die 109 in FIG.2A.) At step 701, the transition to the next step can be to step 703, oroptionally to step 704. In step 704, an internal RDL is placed or formedover the semiconductor device dies (see internal RDL 511 in FIG. 5A). Insome arrangements, step 704 is omitted, accordingly optional step 704 isshown in dashed lines in FIG. 7.

At step 703, a seed layer is sputtered or otherwise deposited over theactive surface of the semiconductor device dies on the wafer (see seedlayer 201 in FIG. 2B). The seed layer is a conductive layer that coversthe wafer including the semiconductor device dies, or covers theinternal RDL, if present. The seed layer provides a starting materialfor an electroplating or electroless plating process.

At step 705, a photolithography process is used to form the postinterconnects. This begins with deposition of photoresist over theactive surface of the semiconductor device dies on the wafer (seephotoresist 203 in FIG. 2C). The photoresist is then patterned byexposure, resist development and curing to define post interconnectopenings in the photoresist layer over the seed layer (see openings 207and 209 in FIG. 2D).

At step 707, electroplating or electroless plating is performed to formthe post interconnects in openings in the photoresist over the seedlayer, (see post interconnects 111 in photoresist 203, in FIG. 2E). Atstep 709, the photoresist is stripped, and the unused seed layer isstripped, to form the post interconnects extending away from thesemiconductor device die (see post interconnects 111 in FIG. 2G).

FIG. 7B illustrates the remaining steps. From step 709 in FIG. 7A, themethod transitions to step 711 in FIG. 7B.

At step 711, individual semiconductor device dies are removed from thesemiconductor wafer by a singulation process. Laser or sawing cuttingoperations are performed in a tool for dicing wafers in scribe lineareas on the wafer. The individual device dies are mounted on the diemount portion of a package substrate (see semiconductor device die 109mounted on a die mounting area 103 in FIG. 2H).

At step 713, wire bonding or ribbon bonding is performed to couple thebond pads to leads on the package substrate spaced from thesemiconductor die mount portion, (see bond wires 115 in FIG. 2H).

At step 715, a molding process for encapsulation is performed, and themold compound covers the semiconductor device dies, the bond wires, andportions of the package substrate, while the remaining portions areexposed from the mold compound to form terminals of the package (see thedielectric material 117 in FIG. 2I). The post interconnects have asurface exposed from the mold compound, as described above the end ofthe post interconnects may extend from the mold compound (see postinterconnects 111 in FIG. 2I). Alternatively the exposed surface of thepost interconnects may be co-planar with the package formed by the moldcompound (see post interconnects 111 in FIG. 5C).

At the transition from step 715, an optional step can be performed. Ifthe external RDL is to be used (see FIG. 6A), the method transitions tostep 716, and an external RDL is placed, or formed, over the surface ofthe packaged semiconductor device, and over the post interconnects, (seeexternal RDL 615 in FIGS. 6A-6B). If the external RDL is not to be usedin a particular arrangement, the method continues to step 717.

At step 717, which is entered either from step 715 or from step 714, anexternal component is mounted to the packaged semiconductor device bymounting to the post interconnects (see external component 301 in FIG.3) or to the external RDL if present, (see external component 301 inFIGS. 6A-6B). This step of mounting the external component can be doneas part of an assembly manufacturing process, or instead can be done ata customer site, the customer receiving the packaged semiconductordevice (see 110 in FIG. 2I) with the post interconnects formingterminals for mounting the component.

The method at step 717 provides a complete assembly including a packagedsemiconductor device and an external component mounted on andeclectically coupled to the packaged semiconductor device die, the postinterconnects coupling the added component to the semiconductor devicedie. At step 719, the assembly is then mounted to a system board ormodule by surface mount technology, such as solder, solder reflow, orother circuit board assembly steps.

Use of the post interconnects of the arrangements provides increasedintegration with reduced board area, low loss and low parasiticconnections between the external components and the packagedsemiconductor devices.

Modifications are possible in the described arrangements, and otheralternative arrangements are possible within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a package substratehaving a die mount portion and lead portions spaced from the die mountportion; at least one semiconductor device die over the die mountportion of the package substrate, the semiconductor device die havingbond pads on an active surface facing away from the package substrate;electrical connections between at least one of the bond pads and one ofthe lead portions of the package substrate; a post interconnect over atleast one of the bond pads, the post interconnect extending away fromthe active surface of the semiconductor device die; and a dielectricmaterial covering a portion of the package substrate, the semiconductordevice die, a portion of the post interconnect, and the electricalconnections, forming a packaged semiconductor device, wherein the postinterconnect extends through the dielectric material and having an endfacing away from the semiconductor device die that is exposed from thedielectric material.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprisinga component mounted on the packaged semiconductor device, wherein thecomponent is electrically coupled to the post interconnect.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the component is a passive electricalcomponent.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the component is asensor.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dielectric material ismold compound.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the postinterconnect is a column of conductive metal.
 7. The apparatus of claim6, wherein the post interconnect comprises a conductive metal selectedfrom copper, gold, palladium, platinum, nickel, silver, tin and alloysof these.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the post interconnect isa first post interconnect and the exposed end is a first end, andfurther comprising at least a second post interconnect, the second postinterconnect over a bond pad of the semiconductor device die andextending through the dielectric material and having a second endexposed from the dielectric material, and the first end and second endform two terminals of the packaged semiconductor device.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the component is an integrated circuit.10. A method, comprising: forming a semiconductor device die with bondpads on an active surface; forming a seed layer on the semiconductordevice die; depositing a photoresist layer over the seed layer and thesemiconductor device die; using photolithography, patterning thephotoresist layer to form openings, exposing the seed layer in theopenings; forming post interconnects in the openings in the photoresistlayer, the post interconnects comprising conductive material; removingthe photoresist to expose the post interconnects, and removing the seedlayer, the post interconnects extending away from the active surface ofthe semiconductor device die; mounting the semiconductor device die to adie mount portion of a package substrate, the package substrate havingconductive leads spaced from the die mount portion; forming electricalconnections between at least one bond pad on the active surface of thesemiconductor device die and a corresponding one of the conductiveleads; and covering the semiconductor device die, a portion of thepackage substrate, the electrical connections, and a portion of the postinterconnects with a dielectric material to form a packagedsemiconductor device, the post interconnects extending into through thedielectric material; wherein ends of the post interconnects are exposedfrom the dielectric material and form terminals of the packagedsemiconductor device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein forming postinterconnects further comprises: plating a conductive metal on the seedlayer.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plating the conductivemetal further comprises plating one selected from copper and a copperalloy.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein plating the conductive metalcomprises plating one selected from copper, gold, platinum, silver,nickel, tin, and alloys thereof.
 14. The method of claim 10, and furthercomprising forming an internal redistribution layer between thesemiconductor device die and the post interconnects, the internalredistribution layer having conductors spaced by dielectric material.15. The method of claim 10, and further comprising mounting a componenton the packaged semiconductor device, electrically coupled to the endsof the post interconnects.
 16. The method of claim 10, and furthercomprising forming an external redistribution layer having conductorswithin it over the ends of the post interconnects.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, and further comprising mounting a component on the externalredistribution layer, and electrically coupling the component to theexternal redistribution layer and to the post interconnects.
 18. Anapparatus, comprising: a packaged semiconductor device, comprising: asemiconductor device die mounted on a package substrate having an activesurface facing away from the package substrate; bond pads formed on theactive surface of the semiconductor device die; a dielectric materialcovering the semiconductor device die and a portion of the packagesubstrate; and post interconnects over the active surface of thesemiconductor device die, the post interconnects comprising conductivematerial extending from a bond pad on the active surface of thesemiconductor device die through the dielectric material and having endsexposed from the dielectric material of the packaged semiconductordevice; and a component mounted on the packaged semiconductor device andelectrically coupled to at least one of the post interconnects.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, and wherein the post interconnects comprise oneselected from copper, silver, gold, nickel, palladium, platinum, tin,and alloys thereof.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18, and furthercomprising an external redistribution layer between the componentmounted on the packaged semiconductor device and the ends of the postinterconnects, the external redistribution layer having conductors thatelectrically couple the component to an end of at least one of the postinterconnects.